Does an Epidural work for Sciatica

Kadie

Sorry to jump in

I constantly read things about permanent paralysis of left side and I get worried.

I have left side of left leg numbness from.left of hamstring to smallest two toes. GP is convinced it is sciatica.

I am 46 and this came out of the blue, GP has referred me to neorology via orthopaedics but it has been down graded as non urgent for an MRI etc.

GP says I should not worry as symptoms commonly disperse completely with 12 weeks. I am worried as this is not reflected on here etc and it appears that time is a factor.

What's your thoughts, Am I overly concerned or should I be demanding more from GP and NHS?

Have had an MRI....got a herniated disc...think its L5 S1 or the other way round..some of my Gps were a bit vague and said wait till I see a consultant......Hopefully one way or another soon !

Has he given you any meds.....anti-inflammatory etc....It seems thats the standard text book guide 12 weeks...If your not sure go back to your GP or maybe go see a good Chiropractor or Physio for a differet approach and opion !

GP advised my sciatica was the S1 nerve..... But no idea what has pinched it or compressed it....

I have meds but to be honest I haven't really needed them for about two weeks, no severe pain anymore .... It's just the dead numbness I have now.....fatigue and pressure pain comes when I am active.

If your not in severe pain I would wait for your referral, the nhs is under pressure to have patients seen and a plan made within 6 weeks from your referral date.

Mri scans although very informative for doctors can have patients worried over nothing a slipped/herniated/prolapsed disc can be lived with and you wouldn't know you have it as you get no syptoms I was told by a neorosurgen the Only time to worry is when the disc is clearly pressing on a nerve causing nerve impingement but then you will be offered an operation depending on if there is a clear surgical target.

Good luck??

Have to say that's if you get an understanding doctor.- which I would want for all. I had to go private for anything to move forward despite being on Co codomol oramorph and gabapentin. Even with a private referal to my gp stating what should happen the gp I saw refused and I was told I would have to live with the pain for the rest of my life even though mri showed a trapped nerve from bulging disc.

It very much depends where you live and what pathway your gp surgery follow.

Sazzie

Can just about get up/down the stairs....In a lot of pain.....by your calculations it will be a minuim of 9 weeks before any treatment....I'm on tramadol/morphine......I'm paying to see a  nureosurgeon,hopefully this week !!!

It's good that your being seen and I hope your pain-free very soon.

Sazzie

Thank You Sazzie.....Think everyones been very helpful !!

I have just had 2 epidurals and to be honest they have been the best to get me moving. I am watching my weight like mad.   I paid many years ago and it cost me £1,000 now II understand its not sciatica its a nerve behind the sciatic nerve. Well thats what the dr said.  I am quite happy, its not worked as well as my other ones but then I didn't have the number all on one occasion, I only had 2 in my thigh.  If it takes me a few weeks to get low pain levels I am happy. I have an appointment for November to see how I went.   I have 3 prolapsed discs, the lower 3 that everyone knows about 

Thxs Enna.....Have got a private referal for next week and got a Nhs one the following week that has just come through the post !!........Going to do both....seeing a physio on Friday for a second opion.....He works partime for the Nhs and deals with lower back/sciatica...at least it will get me out of the house for a few hours.....

Hi....Did it work out ok for you.....Nhs or Private ?